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Influence on the Royal and Victorian Crowns

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Crowns are an integral part of a monarchy. Honor, respect, prestige, and royalty are all displayed by the wearing of a regal headpiece. Different styles, colors, and materials can often depict different levels and styles of reign, as well as the style of the times. Over the years, they have become more valued in a monarchy, especially the British Monarchy. Crowns did not always look like they do today, for many changes in styles and design have occurred throughout history. A leader in this design was Queen Victoria of England. She wore many beautiful crowns during her extensive reign, and this inspired the present day value of crowns inside the British Monarchy. A crown is usually defined as, “…from the earliest times, a distinctive head ornament that has served as a reward of prowess and a sign of honour and dominion” (Britannica, 1). Throughout classical history, many athletes, poets, and successful warriors won wreaths and crowns of different forms. Crowns were based upon Christian tradition in many European countries, to symbolize the power given to monarchs from the church. Today, the British Monarchy is one of the only monarchies to continue the tradition of coronation in the church. Westminster Abbey is the location for all of Britain’s coronations, and has been for many hundreds of years. Precursors to crowns were “diadems”, adopted first by Constantine I, and worn by all leaders of the Roman Empire after him. These diadems would resemble ornamental and royal

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